DESC:Field of the invention:
[001] The present invention relates to a space heating equipment, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a multifunctional device for space heating with water heating, water filtration in single unit, particularly for higher altitude and subzero temperature regions.
Background of the invention:
[002] Currently on higher altitudes where subzero temperature is experienced, a separate equipment is required each for water heating, space heating and water filtration. For example. Kerosene based Hamam heater for water heating, regular Bukhari for space heating and water filtration by boiling or different methods are used. However, to perform all three functions, three separate equipment contributes in more fuel consumption, more space required, more resources consumed, and all are carbon emitting processes.
[003] Accordingly, there exists a need for a multifunctional space heating device for performing space heating, water heating, and water filtration.
Objects of the invention
[004] An object of the present invention is to provide multifunctional space heating device that serves the function of space heating, water heating and water filtration through a single unit.
[005] Another object of the present invention is to utilize heat losses of a regular space heating device for water heating.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-functional space heating device comprising: a bukhari unit, a water tank and a water circulation system. The bukhari unit is a traditional space heating system provided with a fire pit arrangement and an exhaust gas pipe. Additionally, the Bukhari unit is fitted with a water carrying coil above the fire pit arrangement, for receiving radiated heat when a fuel is burnt in the fire pit. The water tank is provided with a hollow passage therethrough having a bottom end thereof connected to the exhaust gas pipe (20) for receiving hot flue gases therefrom and a top end connected to chimney for exhausting cooled flue gases to the atmosphere. The water circulation system includes a feed pipe connecting the water tank with the coil through a pump, and a discharge pipe for supplying heated water from the coil to the water tank. The water tank is provided with two separate compartments there inside for storing hot water and cold water, wherein water from the cold-water compartment is supplied to the coil through the feed pipe and a heated water is supplied to the hot water compartment through the discharge pipe. The device provides an arrangement for extracting heat of radiation from the fire and also the heat from the exhaust flue gases, to heat water in the water tank.
Brief description of the drawings:
[006] The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
[007] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[008] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[009] Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the multifunctional space heating device, in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0010] The embodiments herein provide a multifunctional space heating device (Bukhari) for space heating, water heating, and water filtration.
[0011] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems.
[0012] Throughout this application, with respect to all reasonable derivatives of such terms, and unless otherwise specified (and/or unless the particular context clearly dictates otherwise), each usage of:
“a” or “an” is meant to read as “at least one.”
“the” is meant to be read as “the at least one.”
[0013] References in the present invention to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0014] If the specification states a component or feature "may' can", "could", or "might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0015] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a, an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0016] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and in the table below.
Table:
Ref No: Component Ref No: Component
10 Bukhari unit 50 Water feed pipe
20 Flue gas outlet 60 Water discharge pipe
30 Water tank 70 Coil
40 Pump 80 Chimney
[0017] In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the multifunction space heating device (hereinafter “the device (100)”) is configured for heating a closed space. The device (100) is further configured for heating water by utilizing the heat loss therefrom. The device (100) comprises a bukhari unit (10), a water tank (30), and a water circulation system.
[0018] The bukhari unit (10) is a space-heating stove that is normally used in higher altitudes where subzero temperature is experienced. The bukhari unit (10) consists of a fire pit arrangement for burning a fuel, an exhaust gas pipe (20) and a coil (70) fitted above the fire pit. The fuel can be a solid fuel selected from wood, charcoal, peat, coal, hexamine fuel tablets, dry dung, wood pellets, etc; or a liquid fuel like kerosene; or a gaseous fuel selected from natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and biogas. Once the fuel burning starts, the radiated heat heats the surrounding space making the closed space warm. In an exemplary embodiment, the bukhari unit (10) is lit using an ignition stick (not shown). Further, the bukhari unit (10) generates flue gas along with the heat radiation. The generated flue gas discharges from the bukhari unit (10) through the exhaust gas pipe (20). The coil (70) is configured for circulating water therethrough. The coil (70) is fitted above the fire pit arrangement to receive the heat radiated from of the fuel burning in the fire pit. In an embodiment, the exhaust gas pipe (20) is heat insulated by providing a covering of heat insulating material thereto.
[0019] The water tank (30) is provided with a hollow passage therethrough. The hollow passage is having a bottom end thereof connected to the exhaust gas pipe (20) for receiving hot flue gases from the bukhara unit (10) and a top end thereof connected to a chimney (80) for exhausting the flue gases. The water tank (30) can be filled with either water or ice therein from the top thereof. in an embodiment, the water tank (30) is configured at a height higher than the bukhari unit (10).
[0020] The water circulation system is provided for circulating water from the water tank (30) through the coil (70) and back to the water tank (30). The water circulation system includes a pump (40), a feed pipe (50) and a discharge pipe (60). The pump (40) circulates water from the water tank (30) through the feed pipe (50), the coil (70) and back to the water tank (30) through the discharge pipe (60).
[0021] In an embodiment, the water tank (30) is provided with two separate compartments there inside for storing hot water and cold water, wherein water from the cold-water compartment is supplied to the coil (70) through the feed pipe (50) and a heated water is supplied to the hot water compartment through the discharge pipe (60). In an embodiment, the volume ratio of the hot water compartment to the cold-water compartment ranges from 1:2 to 1:4. In a preferred embodiment, the volume ratio of the hot water compartment to the cold-water compartment is 1:3. The design of tank is such a way that small compartment is always filled with hot water so that water can be always available for drinking purpose.
[0022] Once the fire pit of the bukhari unit (10) is lit, the heat radiations therefrom start heating the surrounding space. Further, the flue gases pass to the water tank (30) through the hot exhaust gas pipe (20) and exchange heat with water or ice, filled inside the water tank (30). The cooled flue gases are then exhausted through the chimney (80) after exchanging heat with water. The coil (70) gets heated by the radiated h,at from the Bukhari unit (10) and transfers the heat to the water flowing through it. The hot water is recirculated in the water tank (30) through the hot water discharge pipe (60). In an embodiment, the water tank (30), the water feed pipe (50), and the hot water discharge pipe (60) are heat insulated. In an embodiment, when the water tank is provided with two separate compartments, the cold water from the cold water compartment is drawn by the pump (40), recirculated through the coil (70) to heat the water and the heated water is supplied to the hot water compartment.
[0023] In an embodiment a water filter is connected to the water tank (30). The water filter is a gravity-based membrane water filter that also works well with the hot water. The tap provides drinkable pure water at the other side of the water filter. The non electric membrane based water filtration can remove all types of viruses and bacteria. The membrane comes with 0.02 micron pore size which is enough to filter out smallest virus. This filter uses gravity for filtration and doesn’t require any external energy.
[0024] Accordingly, the device (100) facilitates space heating, water heating and water filtration using a single unit. The device (100) utilizes heat loss of the conventional bukhari unit for water heating purpose. As compared to the conventional systems, only 1/3rd of fuel is required to conduct the water heating, space heating and water filtration. The device (100) requires less space and facilitates less carbon emission with efficient use of resources with no manual operations required.
[0025] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.

,CLAIMS:We Claim
1. A multi-functional space heating device (100) comprising:
a bukhari unit (10) having a fire pit arrangement for burning a fuel, bukhari unit (10) fitted with an exhaust gas pipe (20), a coil (70) for circulating water therethrough, fitted above the fire pit, wherein the coil (70) is configured to receive the heat radiated from of the fuel burning in the fire pit;
a water tank (30) provided with a hollow passage therethrough, the hollow passage having a bottom end thereof connected to the exhaust gas pipe (20) for receiving hot flue gases therefrom; and
a water circulation system for circulating water from the water tank (30) through the coil (70) and back to the water tank (30).
2. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel is selected from a solid fuel, a liquid fuel and a gas fuel.
3. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas pipe (20) is heat insulated.
4. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water tank (30) is configured at a height higher than the bukhari unit (10).
5. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top end of the hollow passage is connected to a chimney (80).
6. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water circulation system includes a pump (40) arranged for circulating water from the water tank (30) through the coil (70).
7. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the water to and from the coil (70) is circulated through a feed pipe (50) and a discharge pipe (60) provided with heat insulation.
8. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water tank (30) is provided with two separate compartments there inside for storing hot water and cold water.
9. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein water from the cold-water compartment is supplied to the coil (70) through the feed pipe (50) and a heated water is supplied to the hot water compartment through the discharge pipe (60).
10. The multi-functional space heating device (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the volume ratio of the hot water compartment to the cold-water compartment ranges from 1:2 to 1:4.